USAS-USMS Club Development Program

Adding a U.S. Masters Swimming club to your program can help you increase revenue, add fuel to your fundraising, and recruit more volunteers. We are looking to help USA Swimming clubs get started in a fast and inexpensive way. Watch this video and read below to learn more.

What does the club development program offer?

Grants/Financial support
Finding and placing a Masters coach
Marketing and promotional support

What are the requirements of our club?

Capacity to host a minimum of seven (7) workouts per week, with four (4) lanes per workout
- Consideration will be made for clubs that offer fewer workouts and lanes depending on their capacity for growing to conduct a minimum of seven (7) workouts per week in alignment with the business plan.
Commitment to USMS Gold Club Designation requirements
Must have a digital channel to communicate with club members (e.g., email, website, app, Facebook Group, etc.)

How can I get started?

Answer this questionnaire and then set up a call with the club development team to discuss. Take it from the Sarasota Sharks, it is easier than you think [video].

Answer the Club Questionnaire

What are the details?

Grant Program/Financial Support

Grants are available to help with growth initiatives (e.g., additional lane rental for added workouts or added capacity, additional coaching, associated costs, etc.)
Designed to minimize the financial risk of growth initiatives for club, coach, or facility
May cover up to $500–$1,500 per month of loss specific to effort for up to six (6) months
The typical grant from USMS will be $1,500–$2,000
The maximum grant award of $5,000 (the maximum amount is only available in select LMSCs that provide matching grants)
The grant amount will be determined based on forecasted expenses, details of strategy, marketing resources necessary, etc.
Grant agreement and budget templates are available for review and to get started on planning

Coach Recruiting and Mentorship

Help identify coaching candidates
Help posting a coaching position
Mentorship connections

Marketing and Programming

Marketing and communication
- Locally targeted digital ad campaign created by USMS
- Consult with club leadership to create a local marketing strategy through word of mouth, facility, etc.
- Try Masters Swimming campaign
Programming
- Stroke Clinic: Support for a stroke clinic attractive to lap swimmers and other nonmembers as an introduction to the club (built into marketing strategy)
- Event Development: Guidance on the creation of a club-hosted event to drive growth, fundraising, fun, and community building. (USMS also has a separate event development program that includes consulting, marketing, and financial support.)

*Clubs, facilities, or coaches interested in any or all of the components of the club development program are encouraged to answer the questionnaire and then set up a call with the club development department to share their background and start the process of building a plan.